I've got a decision to make and I'm torn so I need your help and wisdom please...

Currently my system is a Dali Zensor 5 5.1 system with the addition of front height/presence speakers so I've got Dali 5's as the front pair with a Vokal centre and Zensor 1 rears with another pair of Zensor 1's at the front high above my Zensor 5's which are my front height/presence speakers and all are powered by my Yamaha RX-A2020 receiver.

I'm contemplating going full 9.1 now so adding another set of speakers to the sides of my seating position and moving the rears accordingly which means moving them further along the rear wall ideally. My question is what speakers should I add for those additional surrounds?

My room is only 4.5m x 4.0m and it already resembles a speaker/AV showroom so ideally I think adding smaller speakers would be ideal so they are less noticable, smaller and easier to install but I'm worried the sound would be compromised by going down this route, would that be true? I know they would only be dealing with certain frequencies and at certain times but would I notice a difference in the soundfield or does it just mean carefully selecting suitable speakers?

Or would the ideal solution be to just stick with the Zensor 1's and not worry about the impact they make in the room? I don't like that idea but if it's the best way forward then so be it but something alot smaller would be far better for my room so if you have any suggestions I would really welcome your input.

Can u use yr front heights as backs.to experiment or buy a cheap pair (charity shop etc) to try. My room is smaller and as I said, I cant place in ideal positions. Not many people here seem to use 7.1/9.1 but someone else may pipe in. Cheers ob.

Nope can't use the front heights to experiment as not got enough speaker cable and it would be a nightmare to take that lot apart as I've got all the wires in trunking which is a real pain to take apart and put back together so that it's flush.

I might have a look in the charity shops but what I really want to test is how effective a speaker the size of the Boston Acoustics Soundware or Q Acoustics Q7000 would be as they would be far smaller and discrete than full on Dali Zensor 1 bookshelf speakers, hopefully someone has tried something similar. I'm in no hurry anyway but I like the idea of going full 9.1 just to see how it sounds after all my receiver is more than capable... :grin:

to answer your question I think as you currently use a pair of Zensor 1's as rears, then the best sound will come from adding another pair of these to use as side surrounds to get your 9.1, this will ensure that you get the best surround effects etc as you will have the same drivers in use around the room.

as someone who is luckly enough to run a full 9.2 system in a room of approx 5.0mx4.0m, using an Onkyo TX-NR818 + additional power amp and a full brace of Monitor Audio Bronze speakers plus two subs, in my opinion it is as good as it can be until my next upgrade comes around.

Sorry macdiddy. Forum rule 7.2.89.4.4 para 4578.8 states that claims of 9.2 systems must be supported.with photographs or else your equipment will be confiscated by Sgt Oldboy & Sgt RobinK. The sound police will be knocking at yr door.

to answer your question I think as you currently use a pair of Zensor 1's as rears, then the best sound will come from adding another pair of these to use as side surrounds to get your 9.1, this will ensure that you get the best surround effects etc as you will have the same drivers in use around the room.

as someone who is luckly enough to run a full 9.2 system in a room of approx 5.0mx4.0m, using an Onkyo TX-NR818 + additional power amp and a full brace of Monitor Audio Bronze speakers plus two subs, in my opinion it is as good as it can be until my next upgrade comes around.

hope this helps your decision.

:bounce:

That's really useful info macdiddy so many thanks for your valuable input I really appreciate it

What's really good is that you have comparable kit to mine and a similar sized room so it's given me much to think about, I've just ordered a detector so I can see if I can place the speakers where they need to go as one side has a light switch on it so if the wires are running up the wall it's a no go so fingers crossed :pray:

A second sub would be something I'm looking at adding next year once the 9.1 is up and running but I'm worried that would be extreme overkill so how do you find the second sub incorporates into your setup? I was always of the opinion that another set of Dali Zensor 1's would provide the best solution but I really wanted to see if I could get away with something smaller if possible just to stop the room being filled with speakers, I was thinking that because they aren't going to be used that much and only for surround duties that I could get away with something smaller and more discrete without sacrificing much in sound quality or ruining the soundfield but maybe not.

Sorry macdiddy. Forum rule 7.2.89.4.4 para 4578.8 states that claims of 9.2 systems must be supported.with photographs or else your equipment will be confiscated by Sgt Oldboy & Sgt RobinK. The sound police will be knocking at yr door.

Definately Robin...I hear the whir of the sound police sirens coming his way as I look forward to some speakers to experiment with. I only need the two so the rest are yours, sorry macdiddy but rules are rules :read:

Sorry about that, can we put it down to me being new to this posting thing, anyway hang on, you don't know where I live. :shifty:

If someone can tell me the easilest or least painfull way to add photos to my posts then please let me know.

We are only messing with you due to setup envy and no rule exists although it should

Anyone can claim they have 9.2 but unless we see proof we tend to not entirely beleive them, I posted pics when I put my front heights in and of the rest of my system so can tell you the easiest way is to use a photo hosting site such as Photobucket or Picassa, upload your photos to the site then when you want to post pictures on here click on the little tree symbol when you click on reply or quote and paste in the web address of the photo.

In photobucket you just right click on the photo you want to upload and select copy location (I think) then paste it after you click on the tree symbol, it's pretty easy and ifI can do it then it must be simple.

I find that pics.are iseful to compare others equipment.since the room has such a huge effect on sound.. When we hear that surround or height speakers are good or (bad) then sometimes a photo can explain the why. My layout for instance benefits little from rears because of the position of the sofa against the wall and the other limitations. Similarly, looking at ob's layout & photos I can see why they might be effective for him (you) but not neccessarily for me.

thanks guys for the info, next time I have a spare weekend :grin: I will try and post some pictures for you in the My System forum section, will need time to tidy up my room as it is a bit of a mess at the moment.

Nope can't use the front heights to experiment as not got enough speaker cable and it would be a nightmare to take that lot apart as I've got all the wires in trunking which is a real pain to take apart and put back together so that it's flush.

I might have a look in the charity shops but what I really want to test is how effective a speaker the size of the Boston Acoustics Soundware or Q Acoustics Q7000 would be as they would be far smaller and discrete than full on Dali Zensor 1 bookshelf speakers, hopefully someone has tried something similar. I'm in no hurry anyway but I like the idea of going full 9.1 just to see how it sounds after all my receiver is more than capable... :grin:

Wouldn't Dali fazon fit the bill?

I use those q acoustics as rears but I'm not sure they'd blend that well with Dalis.

I use those q acoustics as rears but I'm not sure they'd blend that well with Dalis.

Hmmm...not something I had thought about BenLaw but it does make sense to keep to the same family of speakers but no doubt a pair of Fazons would be a bit pricey, will price them up and see what the cost is. Thanks for the suggestion

This dosent help with the original question but how does a 5.1 blu ray sound when put through 9.1 or if space or money allows 11.1 .a lot of blu rays are 7.1 now but what information do the extra speakers receive?